5 Ways To Give Back While Traveling

As we approach the holidays, many people are in the spirit of giving, volunteering, and helping their community. As such, I figured it would be nice to outline some ways that you can give back while you travel. Whether you are interested in volunteering with an established organization or giving back through a local community effort, there is something on this list for you.

1. PACK EXTRA TOILETRIES

When I went to Cuba I was determined to give back, especially since I was going a month after Hurricane Irma hit. I didn’t know where to start, who to give, or what way I could give back, so I went to the dollar store and picked up some toothpaste, soap, deodorant, etc. and organized ziplock bags to hand out. Once I got there, I was able to give these ziplock bags out to those who needed it most. You can also do this with books, school supplies, and other toiletries and donate the supplies once you get there. This also leaves extra space in your luggage heading home, meaning you can fill it with souvenirs for friends, family, but most importantly… yourself.

2. VOLUNTEER

During my time in Trinidad, I was interested in volunteering, but I didn’t know where to start. I found a list of schools and religious organizations and went around asking if they had any opportunities to help out. The first school I asked needed help, so it didn’t take much searching. If you’re not into searching for an opportunity, there are many organizations you can travel with to go on a service trip. Jelani Women is a great example of that! They are an organization that takes Black women on vacations with a purpose. This experience of their own gives underserved teenage girls the chance to go on an international trip of their own.

3. WWOOF

WWOOF is a worldwide movement linking volunteers with organic farmers and growers to promote cultural and educational experiences. As a volunteer, you live with a host family and help with their daily tasks and experience their life as a farmer. In exchange for your service, you stay with the host family for free. This is also a great way for someone looking to travel who doesn’t have much money or is on a tight budget. Experience the land, experience the life of a local, eat organically grown foods and become part of a sustainable, global community.

4. HIRE LOCALLY

If you’re on that, “listen sis, I’m just tryna go on my nice little Jamaican adventure, I’m not tryna do all that” vibe, I GET IT. It be like that sometimes. For you, my lovely philanthropist wanderer, I would suggesting participating in the local economy. How? Shop at local stores, hire local translators, local tour guides, and go on local excursions. Stay away from the big, corporate shows and figure out how you can support the land you flew hours to get to. Ask what the locals are getting into, what local bars they’re patrons of, and follow them. Trust me, you’ll enjoy yourself and you can feel good about your contribution.

5. FIGURE IT OUT

A lot of times, there is no set path to give back while traveling, so you have to create it on your own. The intention of serving others while abroad is great, but it is not enough. There needs to be more action. So, figure it out. The points above describe my experiences in Cuba and Trinidad. I had the intention, but no directed path, so I created my own path. This is my advice to you. Want to give back, but don’t know how…create a way. People are always looking for assistance, and your intention was the first step, now add just a little more effort and actually change lives. Google shit. Facebook shit. Figure shit out.

Have you ever volunteered while traveling? Where did you volunteer and what was your experience like? Ever wanted to volunteer but didn’t know where to start? Did this help at all? Let me know in the comments below

How I Save Money While Traveling Abroad

Looking to travel the world, see the sights, live your best life, but don’t want your bank account to look at you sideways? Say less. I love traveling, but I'm not trying to have Mr. Wells Fargo, Mrs. Bank of America, Miss Capital One, and Mr. PNC on my back. They’re so annoying! They stay looming in the background. I hear them wherever I go. “Did you really need that?” “That was HOW MUCH?” “Ok, but you haven’t deposited enough money to buy that yet.”

The worst is when they talk to each other. “Y’all see what she did there? HA!” “Who does she think she is?” “Alright, someone needs to stop her.”

Basically, I’ve compiled a list of ways you can save on almost all aspects of your trip so that you don’t have to deal with those annoying banks. Incorporate some of these tips into your next trip and I promise Mr. Wells Fargo (my arch nemesis) will leave you alone.

HOUSING

Skip the hotel. You don’t have that kind of coin. Stay in a hostel, Airbnb, guesthouse, or go couchsurfing! Hostels are a great way to meet other travelers, they usually have great recommendations for places to check out in the area, and they are going to be your cheapest option. Downsides include sharing a room with about 6-12 other people, sleeping on a bunkbed, and possibly hearing your top-bunk neighbor have sex (true story). Most of you are familiar with Airbnb’s, and I love them if I’m staying somewhere for a while, but on a quick trip I find they can be isolating. Also, you never know what you’re going to get (check this out to see what I mean).

Guesthouses give you the chance to “live” with a local family (get that local experience) and they’re about as cheap as a hostel, but some guesthouses have rules that you must abide by (ex. no guests after 9pm; no loud noise after 10pm). Lastly, COUCHSURFING, my fave. If you don’t know what it is, click here. This is the cheapest option of all, because it’s usually free, but not all couches are created equally.

FOOD

My favorite pasttime! Let’s cut this short. DO NOT EAT AT TOURIST LOCATIONS. Stay far away from those traps. Eat at local restaurants, go further away from the city, try street carts (stop being bougie sis, it’s clean, and be adventurous for once). A nice trick I have when abroad is to look for the restaurants that are packed with locals. If the locals are eating there, then so am I. I love to google translate “where do you like to eat?” and ask locals. If you just ask for recommendations, they’ll give you places they think you’ll like, which will more than likely lead you back into touristy locations. Ask about their preferences and follow their lead!

TRANSPORTATION

Sure, Uber is nice (although it’s not available everywhere) and taxis can be convenient, but we’re not talking convenience, we’re talking KEEP MR. WELLS FARGO OFF YOUR LINE, so listen up. Take public transit! In Milan, the above-ground trains are free. FREE, BISH…FREE! Get on that tuk-tuk (unless they’re only where the tourists are), hop on that bus and carry your tail to the metro. You’ll save a fortune. Also, if you find yourself absolutely dying and needing to hail a taxi, please make sure you are far, and I mean far from the touristy locations. If you’re pressed to get the taxi at least save some coin and walk a minute or two up the block so the prices aren’t jacked up!

ADVENTURES

Alright, this is the most difficult to try to save money on. I always flick off Mr. Wells Fargo when it comes to activities, but I’ve found some things to do in almost every city that didn’t break the bank. Most museums have at least one free day, or are free everyday (shoutout Smithsonian); find that free day and put it on your list of things to do! Also, if there is a popping museum, make sure you get there well ahead of time and plan for crowds…you’re not the only one trying to get this steal!

I also love to explore cities by going on walking tours! Get that exercise in, feel that breeze, explore the streets. I’ve also joined a walking tour that I haven’t paid for by lollygagging in the back, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend that. Honestly I totally recommend it, I learned so much about the town lol but I felt bad for jipping the nice tour guide. Lastly, if/when you go shopping then make sure you haggle! Nothing is as it is listed. I don’t care where you go. Make a deal. Find a deal. Secure the deal and the bag, sis. Secure the MF’n bag.

AIRLINES

Last on this list is how to save money with airlines. I want to start off by saying FLY BUDGET AIRLINES! I’m sick of y’all. You can’t be broke and bougie baby, pick one! I promise I wish I could be bougie too, but that’s not the case here. So, since we’ve all decided we’re flying budget airlines (shoutout WOW, RyanAir, Spirit * ooh that one hurt to give props to *) The key with these airlines is to pack light. If you do , there are rarely any fees attached, and you’ll be saving those coins you barely have (don’t mind me, I’m really dragging myself here). Also, when it comes to airlines, make sure that you’re flying to your destination during the offseason. You can’t expect to go to Carnival in Trinidad and find a $200 flight. It aint happening sis. Fly during the offseason and swerve on those price hikes!

I hope these helped y’all avoid Mr. Wells Fargo, Mrs. Bank of America, Miss Capital One, and Mr. PNC! You don’t need them on your back and I don’t want them on mine either. What tips do you have for saving money when you’re traveling? Let me know below! Hip me sis, HIP ME! I’m ready to save the coins!

Happy Wandering…

10 Things I Learned From Heartbreak

Here is the official list:

1. Shits tough bruh. It just is.

2. You are stronger than you think. Consider that you are no longer bawling your eyes out in fetal position.

3. Patiences is a motherfucker. I know I prayed for it, but damn I gotta be tested everyday?

4. Allow the people you love to be there for you. You don’t have to be the strong friend everyday. Let them help you carry this load.

5. Healing is a process; never an overnight fix.

6. You will grow regardless of how broken your heart is. Your light will reach the darkest of corners.

7. Sometimes people are shitty. That’s ok, forgive them anyways. Forgiveness is for you, never for them.

8. Never tie your worth to anyone except yourself. You are worthy because you deem yourself worthy.

9. This is a rollercoaster ride! Some days you’re on top of the world and the next day you’re crying on the verse mic. The duplicitous nature of humans I guess.

10. As long as you are the holder of all the love you require, you will never search for it in anyone else. Your love journey starts with you. Your love journey ends with you. Your love journey is just that, a journey, so be kind to yourself along the way.

7 Things Travel Taught Me About Love

1. Love is universal. It transcends barriers, cultures, kingdoms, even religions. Everyone experiences love. Everyone experiences the loss of love. Your experience is unique to you, but not to the world of love. People have hurt the same, maybe even worse. People have loved just as much, maybe even more.
   

2. You can find love in the tiniest of corners, the gloomiest of days, the darkest of holes. You just have to look for it. The smiling stranger on the subway, that “text me when you’re home” message, your jumping dog greeting you, the sound of laughter, a home cooked meal. Love surrounds you. You can see it if you’re looking in the right places.
   

3. As long as you are the holder of all the love you require, you will never search for it in anyone else. Your love journey starts with you. Your love journey ends with you. Your love journey is just that, a journey; so be kind to yourself along the way.
   

4. Love is patience and kindness and tenderness and sacrifice. Love is understanding and communicating and trusting and devoting. Love is romantic and sweet and passionate and affectionate. Love is friendship and laughter and kisses and hugs. Love is enduring  and strong and unwavering and shameless. Still there are not enough words to describe it.
   

5. In order to appreciate sweetness, you must endure bitterness. To bask in sunshine, you must weather the storm. But love does not require pain. You may feel pain during your love journey, but it is not required to feel love. Enduring pain is not a measure of your ability to love or someone's ability to love you. Pain is not a symptom of love, it is a possible side effect. When the side effect becomes the symptom it is time to leave.
   

6. Your heart can never break. Heartbreak will not break your heart. Your heart is miraculous in that way; even when language instructed a downfall, it resisted. Your heart can hurt, and oftentimes it may, but your miraculous heart can also heal. Your heart knows how to heal. It is your miraculous heart.
   

7. You determine your worth. You determine your value. You and solely you. Do not leave this job up to anyone else. You are too precious, and the job is too big. Treat yourself how you expect to be treated. Deem yourself worthy of respect, then demand it. Deem yourself worthy of grace, then demand it. Deem yourself worthy of love, then demand it.
   

   
   Feature Photo: Samia Minnicks Photography
   Makeup Artist: Regan Wolfrey

What have you learned about love? Hip your girl to some gems below! I WANT TO KNOW!

5 Ways to Beat Post Vacation Depression

You’re on a warm beach somewhere in the Caribbean, you see the waiter bringing you a fresh Mai Tai and you haven’t even finished the one in your hand. Damn Jean-Claude knows me so well, you say to yourself. You’re basking in the sunlight, the melanin is PAWPIN, and you fall asleep reading some trashy romantic novel you secretly love. The sea-breeze hits your nostrils ever so slightly, you smell the freshness. On this day you’re feeling that drink, goofishly smiling, cackling with your girls. Days later, you’re being slapped by reality.

Welcome to Post-Vacation Depression folks! That feeling when you have to leave paradise and Jean-Claude behind, damn, he was so good at his job though, and bring your raggedy tail back to the real world. You know the one; where your boss is asking about how far along you’ve come on the project, where Rae-Rae and all his badass kids are asking to stay with you, where your ex is trying to pop back up in your life. YIKES. Welcome my friends!

Okay, so maybe it isn’t that bad. It’s possible I’m being dramatic, but Post-Vacation Depression (PVD) is real. I may or may not be going through this as we speak (read as: I AM GOING THROUGH THIS), but I’m also a survivor of PVD. I’ve escaped reality enough times to know that coming back from adventure is the hardest part. Lucky for y’all I’ve come up with 5 ways to overcome PVD.

1. ADJUST YOUR SLEEP SCHEDULE

You were either in a different timezone, partying until the wee hours of the morning, or had the longest journey of your life (here’s mine). Maybe all of these are true, in which case, you’re more than likely going to crash the minute you see your bed. I advise that actually. Sleep. GO TO BED. Fall in love with your mattress and your comforter all over again. Just consider the time. When I come back from traveling, I usually force myself to either sleep or stay up depending on the time. If I get home at 3pm, I try to wait until at least 8pm before I go to sleep, so I start the next day fresh! On the other hand, if I get home at 3am, I’m going straight to sleep. Immediately. I will not pass go. I will not collect $200.

Do what suits you best, but make sure you are able to ease back into your regular sleep schedule as soon as possible. The sooner your sleep schedule is on track, the sooner the lethargic feeling goes away, the quicker you can go back to being yourself, and the sooner your mood swings stop. It’s inconclusive whether my mood swings ever stop, but that’s a story for a different post. The point is to get back into a healthy sleeping schedule, because Lord knows we can’t function without it.

2. TIME TO DETOX

Let’s be honest, you went on a binge. You worked your ass off to get your beach body. You were in the gym, eating healthy, drinking water, then got to the beach and said “to hell with it, I’m here! This is the body the beach got!” I STAN A CONFIDENT QWEEN. You were vacationing and living your best life, consuming all the Mai Tai’s, the oxtails, the pastries. You walked to the bar in the resort, that counts as exercise, right?

LOL sis, I feel you. If you’re trying to beat your Post-Vacation Depression you’re going to have to start by changing that trash diet of yours (I’m not judging, I’m y’all. Y’all are me. We are one.) You have to eat better to feel better. Start up on that workout routine you ditched, try adding some veggies to your meals, maybe a fruit or two. The better your body feels, the better you’ll feel about being back!

3. MENTALLY PREPARE

The worst part of coming back to reality is not knowing what you’re coming back to. Did Rae-Rae and his badass kids tear the house up? Do I have the most projects waiting for me at work? Are there bills that I’ve neglected? Will the damn lights even be on when I get home? Alright loves, if you’re unsure about your lights...and you were just traveling... you gotta work out your priorities. If you’re worried about the work awaiting you, I feel you. I find that it’s easiest to get back into the swing of things when I mentally prepare myself for what’s to come.

I initially try to come to terms with the fact that I am going to have an adjustment period. I go back knowing that things are not going to be butterflies and rainbows. I go back thinking realistically, considering what work I might have and how I’ll get it done. Post-Vacation Depression can be stopped if you prepare for it! Get ahead of PVD so PVD doesn't get ahead of you! (Did that sound like an STD infomercial to anyone? Just me? Ok, great.)

4.  GRATITUDE

Consider the time you had, the people you met, the things you saw, the experience, the lessons, the undeniable joy and laughter that filled you. Carry that around with you upon return. Make it a point to feel that Jamaican sunlight no matter where you are. I’m not crazy, (debatable), I know you can’t feel the damn Jamaican sun in the dead of winter in New York. I’m asking that you carry the feeling of the Jamaican sun glazing your melanated ass skin. Carry the feeling of being surrounded by your favorite people. Carry the feeling of waking up to a sea-breeze around with you. Call it your happy place. When things get rough, remember that feeling. Remember that place. Go there often.

Rae-rae and his badass kids getting on your nerves? SSKKKKRRRTTT. Reclaim your joy. I’m not saying it’s going to be easy or fun to do all the time, but it’ll be a way to stay grateful. Remember to thank your Higher Power, your Universe, your God for showing you its creations.  PVD is hard to manage, but holding that piece of light inside you makes dealing with the real world that much more bearable.

5. PLAN YOUR ESCAPE

I know you’re grateful and all my love, but uhhhh when we leaving? Yeah, we need to get on that next! Your best best for escaping reality while still engaging in said reality, is to plan your escape! Where are you going? Who are you going with? If you went with a big group last vacation consider going solo on the next one, and vice-versa. Figure out your travel style (here’s a guide). Your PVD doesn’t stand a chance against the thrill of deciding where you’re heading to next! Leave the country once and you’re well equipped to go time and time again.

There’s nothing that eases the mind more than knowing that your escape is just around the corner. Don’t worry about not having the money yet, you’ll collect it, you have time. Don’t worry about not having the full plan yet, you’ll figure it out, you have time. Once you take the first couple of steps to figuring out where you’re going next, PVD is out the door making room for curiosity and excitement about the next adventure.

Ever experienced Post-Vacation Depression?

What did you do to get back into the swing of things?

Let me know in the comments below!

Happy Wandering…

2 MUST VISIT Spots in Paris, Besides the Eiffel Tower

Bonjour my loves! Its been a while, hasn’t it? Have no fear, WanderlustWad is back and in action! Recent travels have included Barcelona, Milan, and of course París (pear-eee). Now, as my wanderers know, this wasn’t my first time in the city of love. My first time in Paris was fun, but a bit underwhelming. Now y’all DON’T START. I can already hear y’all, “Oh, so you just been everywhere, can’t even admire Paris for the beauty it truly is.” I never said Paris wasn’t beautiful or that it didn’t have its distinct charm. I’m just saying that after watching movies where men kneeled in front of a twinkling tower to profess their love, and seeing scenes of people holding hands walking down cobblestoned streets, I didn’t expect cramped apartments and smelly subways, ok?

I romanticized Paris, as most of us probably have, and with only 12 hours to explore on my first trip, I didn’t have a chance to truly explore. So on this trip, I made sure that I got a chance to see what the city had to offer, and boy did I find some gems. Besides going to the Eiffel Tower AT NIGHT (do not go during the daytime, it’s just an average triangle building then, but it transforms into this amazing twinkling wonder in the nighttime), here are the two places you have to visit on your Parisian adventure.

Le Comptoire Général

Photo Credit: Yelp

This barn turned bar, hidden behind a block of houses, will blow your mind. If you are into art, African culture, eclectic spaces, good drinks, and a good time, this is the place for you. Walk into a floor-to-ceiling red velvet hallway adorned with paintings of African royalty framed in gold. HOW’S THAT FOR SETTING THE DAMN SCENE? Your girl was floored. This shabby-chic bar has colonial style, stylish chandeliers, and a hipster vibe. No two seating areas are alike, and you’ll be lucky if you even get a seat. This place fills up fast, especially on the weekends. Get ready to dance to some afro-beats, throwback 90s jams, and a couple tunes you’re unsure of while sipping on an African-inspired drink. ♪♪♪Take me there, I wanna go there ♪♪♪
Check out Comptoire Général here.

La Bellevilloise

Photo Credit: La Bellevilloise website

So Google says this place is an “arts & cultural centre for exhibitions, film screenings, concerts & events, with a bright cafe.” I can neither confirm nor deny these allegations. I didn’t go for any sort of art exhibit or film screening, so I can’t speak on that. You know what I can speak on? The perfect jazz brunch hosted at the Halle Aux Oliviers in this beautiful art gallery. The brunch is a full service buffet with a colorful array of fresh food and deliciously fresh squeezed juices in yet another eclectic atmosphere all while you’re serenaded by a lovely jazz band. I imagine this is where one might find a Sugar Daddy. Imagine linen suits, fedoras, pocket squares, beards. The damn beards. Did I mention all the B E A R D S. This is where your suave and sexy gather to munch and brunch. Super trendy with lovely wooden seats, vintage couches, a skylight, and loads of greenery.
Check out La Bellevilloise here.

So while you’re in Paris, or when you finally decide to book that trip, make sure you check out these dope places! If you love an eccentric, eclectic, vintage, hipster place with loads of different people, beard papís, and stylish decorations, these are your MUST VISIT locations.

What cities have you dismissed, but surprised you when you actually explored them? Let me know in the comments below!

Happy Wandering…

Solo Female Travel: Tips, Tricks, and How to Not Die

So you're looking to travel alone, but you're not trying to die? Cool. I literally had the same thoughts before my first solo trip. Was I nervous? YES. Was I on the airplane considering turning around? YES. Did I cry and want to return home? At some point, sure. So why am I promoting it? What's the point? How did I survive? Stay tuned on the next episode of Dragon Ball-Wad. 

I want to make this easy for you to read, so I'll answer some main questions regarding solo-travel. Keep in mind that this is not a comprehensive list. If you have more questions, feel free to ask in the comments below! 

1. WHY IS SOLO TRAVEL MORE FUN THAN GROUP TRAVEL?

Where do I even begin? You are given the freedom to do exactly what you want to do. Museums? Go there! Clubs? Enjoy! Experiment with new delicacies? HELL YES. You have the opportunity to travel as you wish. You are not tied to anyone interjecting with their (undesirable) opinion. You eat when you want to, wake up when you want to, meet people on your accord, and live life on your terms. What could be better? It is a time for self-reflection and an amazing time to learn about yourself as a human being. It challenges you in the best way possible, pushes you outside of your comfort zone, and helps you grow. Want to adult real quick? Travel Solo. You learn to fend for yourself. You learn about the world around you, different cultures, and it makes you more open and susceptible to growth. 

This is not to say that when you travel with a group you don't grow, but you are more prone to fall into routine. More prone to stick to what you know. Less likely to experiment, especially if those you are traveling with are stuck in their ways. Solo travel is a chance for adventure, self-discovery, and has always been a place where I find my inner peace. It is a chance to reacquaint with myself and fall in love with who I am all over again. It is a chance to be proud of myself, a chance to explore what is important to me and ground myself. You can also use it as a chance to get schwasted, go buckwild, and live your best life with no judgement. Whatever works for you.

2. DO YOU EVER GET LONELY?

No. I'm a wanderer. I don't need nobody. Loneliness is for the weak. * EYEEE ROLLLL * Yes, of course I get lonely. There are times where it would be nice to have someone. Overlooking a breathtaking sunset, I wish there was a bae to hold my hand. Seeing something that sparks an inside joke, I yearn for my best-friend. If I start to feel sick I want to reach out for my mama. Loneliness is a normal and natural part of solo travel, but it's also what the whole experience is about. People are great, you love them, you need them, and you want them to experience these wonders with you. But just because you want them there, doesn't mean that you stop being there and it doesn't mean that they won't be there when you get back.

You have to take the good with the bad. In my experience, loneliness white traveling abroad have always been because I've closed myself off to those around me. There are people everywhere, you just have to go meet them. Loneliness is temporary, it fades. The traveling experience is eternal, you keep those memories for a lifetime. 

3. ARE YOU EVER NERVOUS ABOUT BEING TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF?

The simple answer is yes. As a woman, I am in constant fear of being taken advantage of (whether in America or abroad). This is the sad truth of the world we live in. There is a stigma surrounding foreign nations being more dangerous than America. This is something I'll go ahead and debunk. SHITS A LIE. I've been in many places I've felt safer in than I did at home. With that being said, I do usually check the crime levels wherever I go. It helps me feel better comparing the stats to those in the U.S. and understanding what my risk levels are.

All in all though, I suggest taking the same precautions you would at home. Stay cautious, don't get in cars with strangers, and never admit you're traveling alone unless you trust the person or you're in a hostel. I find hostels to be wonderful, welcoming places with seasoned travelers. If I'm looking for people to generally trust, I find those in the area rated highly on Couchsurfing.com and go from there. My best advice is to follow your gut. If something doesn't feel right, DON'T DO IT. Trust your instincts, they rarely steer you wrong.

HAVE MORE QUESTIONS? LET ME KNOW IN THE COMMENTS BELOW!

How to Beat Criminals at Their Own Game

My brother recently got robbed in Thailand. He wasn’t hurt or anything, but they took all his money so he was broke. I found a way to save him and all, but if he would have followed some of my advice, he could have saved himself. When you travel, how much money do you take? Is it in cash or card? Where do you store the cash? Where do you store the card? I’ve collected a few of my best tips and input them for you below!

If you missed the blog post mentioned above, CLICK HERE

When I travel, I always carry cash. I don’t mean just a couple twentys in my pocket, I mean I sit down and try to calculate how much money I will need for my whole trip, and I go retrieve that amount from my bank. This might sound risky to some of you, and it quite possibly could be if you’re not careful, but I’ve found this method to work best for me, and here’s why:

1. When you travel, especially to third world countries, credit cards/debit cards are not as widely accepted as they are in places like America. You’ll be hard pressed trying to find someone in a souk with an available chip reader, or even card reader if we’re being honest. These money transfers are normal here, but most people in other countries use cold hard cash.
    

2. Your next thought might be to simply head to an ATM machine while you’re traveling. This way you will not need to carry a large amount of cash, and you’ll still be able to buy things from the supermarkets, souks, and food carts without worrying about whether they have a card reader. Wrong. Most countries, specifically those in the third world, do not have easy access to ATMs. If you’re in a major city, you might have an easier time finding one, but if your location is rural, you might be out of luck. Now you’re stuck with a piece of plastic that isn’t worth more than materials used to create it.
    

3. Cash is a universal language. You can never go wrong with it, and it is always accepted. America is one of the only countries where credit is a thing. Credit is not really a thing in a lot of other countries. If you want something, you’re paying cash. For my family members in Sudan that means paying cash for a car or even a house. These people get really good at saving/hiding/carrying large sums of money.
    

So now that you know that cash is the way to go, how do you protect yourself from things like theft and robbery? The painful truth is that you’re bound to get targeted as a tourist at some point and have something taken from you. Especially you loud Americans! You just draw attention to yourselves, don’t you? (Haha, I’m American too guys, calm down). It will become painstakingly clear in certain countries (China, for example) that you aren’t a native. This makes you more susceptible to robbery and theft because perpetrators know you didn’t travel halfway across the world broke. There are certain things that you can do to protect yourself though, so pay close attention!

The first thing you’ll need is a great hiding place. Consider this  ( hidden pocket underwear) or this (creating a secret pocket in your clothing). If neither appeal to you, as neither appealed to me, then you can try what’s worked well for me so far. I travel lightly, usually with just a carry-on or something like this. This will be considered by “big suitcase”. Inside my big suitcase, I always have a smaller bag for daytrips. I like to bring my trusted Jansport along, or any other bag with tons of zippers. This makes it easy for me to keep track of my things.

So, when I retrieve my big amount of cash from the bank, I usually divide it up into smaller portions. In my big suitcase I will take random pieces of clothing and wrap my money in them. These “money clothes” are scattered all throughout the suitcase. Whenever I’m leaving my hostel/housestay/hotel, I lock my “big suitcase”. My small day bag will have just enough money for that day. Nothing more, nothing less.

This way, if I was targeted for a robbery/theft while I was out, they would only get a small percentage of the money I brought. They would get something, but not everything. Now, if someone considers robbing my big suitcase, and actually figures out a way to break the lock to get in, their first glance will reveal nothing but clothing and toiletries. They would have to take the time to unroll each piece of clothing to find my money. The hope is that once they find a stash in a piece of clothing, they’ll think that’s all the money I’ve got and leave the rest alone. This is why you want to divide the money up. Their theft leaves me short, but not broke.

This is where my brother probably went wrong on his adventure. Traveling with just one backpack makes things lighter and seemingly easier, but it doesn’t allow for this sort of “security”. Now if someone just picks up my whole suitcase and dips then I’m sure I’d be shit out of luck, but I haven’t heard too many of those stories.

It’s all about minimizing the damage. We have to prepare for it, because there is a good chance it could happen to us. The hope is that when it happens, we are prepared. I’m out here trying to outsmart criminals. WHAT’S GOOD!

Let me know what your money security tips are in the comments below!

Happy Wandering...

What are Passport Tattoos Really?

What is a visa? What is a passport? Is a visa a passport? Is a passport a visa? What are those stamps in the passport for? You probably have no idea, but like the idea of a “tatted passport”. Wow. Y’all wild. I’m going to drop some knowledge on y’all today so you can stunt with your stamps and tats. Go ahead and show Instagram what you’re working with, but before you go out there flossing, know what you’re talking about.

A PASSPORT

A passport is a lovely book that your residential government issues that gives you the ability to travel to foreign countries. (Don’t know how to get one? Click here!) There are also passport cards, but those only allow you to re-enter the U.S. from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. Basically not worth it. Stick to the passport book. This book is the U.S. government saying to you “look yo, go ahead and explore, check those other places out”.

This is that small blue book that has all your information on the inside of it. Foreign governments use this book to acknowledge that you belong to a plot of land, aren’t some crazy alien, and to ensure they have a place to send your tail back to should you decide to act up. This book is nonetheless important. You can’t get in or out of a country without it.

Pro Tip: Before travelling overseas, take a picture of the inside of your passport and email it to yourself; that way, if you lose it, you’ll always have some sort of identification.

A VISA

Now, just because you got permission to go doesn’t mean that you have permission to enter. This is where the visa comes into place. A visa is a stamp or a sticker that officials of a foreign country place on your passport that grants you access to their country. You can get this visa from the embassy or consulate of the foreign country within your residential country.

That might have been confusing, so let me break it down:

I am a U.S. citizen and I’m interested in going to India. I have a passport, but I now also need a visa. I take my passport to the Indian embassy (located in the United States) to get a visa. I do this prior to travelling. Now, when I fly to India, I can pass through customs and passport control, because I have been granted access to their country from their embassy in my residential country (the U.S.).

Or….

I was about to skrrt skrrt to Bollywood. Needed a visa, so I handed old boy my passport. Homie was like “YOOOOO, you good bruv”. He gave me the passport tat, and homies didn’t give me no problems at the border.

I hope that helped.

TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION

There are certain things that you should know before taking your passport and visa knowledge into the world:

1. Not all countries require visas to enter, but all countries require a passport of some kind. What countries can Americans enter without a visa? Click here.

2. Certain countries allow for you to obtain visas in the airport so you don’t need to go to a consulate or embassy. What are those countries? Click here.

3. Visas have an expiration date, so make sure that you are in and out of the country before your visa expires. How long will your visa last? Ask Google.

4. Some countries don’t necessarily want Americans tourists. Shock. (I don’t blame them) As such, they’ll give you a hard time getting into the country, so have some patience and all your required documents.

**NOTE: This info is primarily for those with AMERICAN (U.S.A.) passports 

Now that you'r aware of the nature of "passport tats" go ahead and start flexing. I really do want y'all to prosper, but you really have to have the receipts to back up your flossing. FEEL ME?

What's your next "passport tat" going to be? Let me know in the comments below!

Happy Wandering...

Take This Quiz to Find Out Where Your Next Trip Should Be!

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Crashing at a Stranger's House

Most people think I'm crazy when I tell them that I'm staying with a stranger in Trinidad. I haven't found myself in any freezers as of lately, so I think I'm safe...but really who knows. My host's name is Phyllis, but I like to call her Philly and she is quite possibly the warmest individual I have met throughout any of my travels. 

Now, I'm sure you have a ton of questions. Are you crazy? (Yes.) Why are you staying with this woman? (Because I can.) What are you doing? (Couchsurfing.) What the hell is that? (Read on...)

Welcome to Couchsurfing. An online community of travelers who love to travel, but don't have much to spend. Let's say for example, you're going to Greece. You've paid for your ticket (which I hope you got a good deal on) and now you're looking at accommodation. Couchsurfing allows you to stay with different hosts from across the globe for free. Did you guys catch that? FOR FREE. 

I know you're like "WHATTT??!?!?!!" "How do I do that??!?!?!!?" Well...let me explain.

You begin by creating an online profile here, where you let people know a little bit about yourself: what you like, what you love to do, places you've been, etc. You then search for hosts who are accepting guests and send them requests to stay with them for a duration of time. So, going back to the Greece example, I would find a couple hosts in Greece who are accepting guests, send each of them a small blurb about when I want to stay with them, what I'm coming for, and when I'll be leaving and wait for a reply. Hearing back from the hosts could take a while depending on how often they visit the site, so make sure you reach out to a couple different hosts.

When choosing which hosts you'll reach out to, I always suggest that you stay with an individual who has many references. Make sure to read these references and see what others are saying about the individual, the space, the location of the home etc. If you would feel uncomfortable in the setting described, do yourself a favor and find another host.

Once you finally find a host who is willing to welcome you into your home, you coordinate with them accordingly to accommodate your arrival and your stay. You are now not only touring, but seeing the country/city/state from a native's perspective, and for me, that's what traveling is all about. Instead of the touristy places, you'll get to see all the "hole-in-the-wall" eats and locations. Instead of being a visitor in your new destination, you transform into a traveler. That's what I love about couchsurfing, it opens you up to a world of possibilities, and the whole damn thing is free.

Once you've created your online profile, you become a host as well. This doesn't mean that you have to host guests, but it's how the community works, so I would strongly suggest that you open your home to a stranger, just like someone is willing to do (or did) for you. If you still don't feel comfortable with the idea of staying with a stranger, you can still utilize couchsurfing. If you're visiting a country and want to meet up with some locals, you can contact some hosts and see if they're free to show you around. You can post discussion questions about your area, and some people even use it to find others who are willing to travel with them.

I'm not saying you'll stay in the nicest places, but you'll have a roof over your head, and you're guaranteed a couch if nothing else. Philly, my couchsurfing host, has given me a whole room to myself, so it all depends on what your host has available. As you're staying with strangers, and don't want to be locked up in any freezers, I've given you some pro-tips.

PRO-TIPS

• Make sure your host has a good amount of references, you can even go so far as to check your reference's references.
• Be brave and be open
• If you don't feel comfortable, then LEAVE, no one is forcing you to stay
• Be clear of the house rules so that you and your host don't have any issues
• Stay tidy and neat, especially if you're staying in a common area
• Let someone know where you are and who you're staying with
• Try to arrive in the day, foreign places can be scary at night
• If you see something that you can help with, do so, it's the least you can do (i.e. dishes, cleaning etc.)

The essence of couchsurfing is that you shouldn't have to spend loads of money to see the world. If you find a cheap flight (read here to see how), the next largest expense is always accommodation, and couchsurfing handles that for you. For all of the people who have wondered what it would mean to be able to see the world on a budget, your time is now. Couchsurfing allows you to stay with, connect, and experience genuinely amazing places and individuals who love to travel, not cheaply, but absolutely for free. 

Have you ever couchsurfed? What was your experience like? Would you ever consider couchsurfing? Let me know in the comments below!

You're Not Trini Until You've Had These

It's been mentioned to me that I speak about food as most would speak of sex. I take great pride in this compliment. I love food, and especially good food. My specialty is sweets, but literally anything savory to stuff into the gaping hole in my face will suffice. As a traveler, my favorite part of any visit is the cuisine.

The two islands located off the coast of northeastern Venezuela boast a rich and vibrant culture and have encased me in a whirlwind of spices, vibrant colors, upbeat music and "wining". The one thing I've heard time and time again about Trini's is that "if nothing else, they will feed you". This sounds like my sort of place.

This "essential foods to try in Trinidad and Tobago" list I've compiled has been curated by my wonderful tastebuds in collaboration with some authentic Trini's. If you've never tried these foods, you can't truly consider yourself a Trinidadian (I don't judge, this is according to my natives). If you're visiting the islands and want a real experience, make sure to knock these items off your list. 

 

Bake and Shark

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This delicacy is most famously found at Maracas Beach. It consists of a homemade bread, the "Bake" which is ironically usually softly fried. The Bake is folded, almost like a pita and stuffed with fried Shark. There are other options like "Bake and Shrimp" and an assortment of different "Bake and Fish" for those not interested in eating shark. My recommendation is to eat the damn shark. When you choose which Bake you'd like, you'll notice that it's dry. The best part of this sandwich is being able to make it your own. There is a salad bar of sorts that allows you to top your Bake with anything from ketchup and salad to mango salsa and green sauce. Each vendor has different options, but staples are: mango salsa, garlic sauce, green sauce, salad, hot sauce. Take caution with the hot sauce, this is no Texas Pete, your mouth will literally be on fire. My toppings included a lot of mango salsa, ketchup, salad, a hint of garlic sauce, and a smidgen of hot sauce, A SMIDGEN.

There are about 5 vendors are selling Bake and Shark, and each vendor has a line out the door. "Richard's" is the most famous stall, but I recommend walking past all of these vendors and making a sharp right when you get to the end. On your right hand side you'll see this no-name vendor, go there. I've indulged on Bake and Shark plenty of times, and this is by far one of the tastiest, most flavorful I've had. 

 

Doubles

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HOOOOOMMAAAGAAAHHHDDD. I love doubles. Vendors sell these on the streets for about 4TTD from small carts. These consist of a fried piece of flat bread topped with chickpeas, chutney, and sometimes even mango salsa, then topped with another piece of flatbread. Eating this is an art, and extremely messy. You take the top piece of bread and pick up as many toppings as you can and stuff it in your mouth. Almost like picking up an upside down taco. Whatever falls over, you use the bottom piece of bread to collect the remains and enjoy. 

The bread is soft, the chickpeas seasoned especially well, and the mango salsa adds the perfect ting (should you choose to add it). They always ask you if you want "peppa", also known as hot as hell peppers. I love spicy food so I always add a bit, but as I've said before, this is not Texas Pete people. Be careful. I've clearly had a traumatic experience. As far as where to go for Doubles, my favorite guy is located on Ariapita Avenue connected to the "Amigo's Mexican Food" stand. My man constantly has a line, but it's so worth it.

 

PASTELLES

Pastelles are basically "Tamales 2.0", which is no surprise seen as Spanish influence has been in the country for years. Above you can watch me make the pastelles. Initially you start off with a banana leaf. You lay it out on a press, lay some oil onto it and then add your cornmeal ball. You use the press to create a perfect little circle. You would have already prepared some minced meat and lots of spices beforehand. You then take the minced meat, add it to the center of the cornmeal and fold it ever so beautifully. These can now be frozen for later use, or steamed and eaten within minutes!

I've never had pastelles from a shop, so I don't have recommendations for a place to go. I recommend you make these at home, as I hear every family makes them a little different to their liking. These are made on special holidays, like Christmas. I obviously got to make them because I'm a holiday all on my own. #SudaneseWadMagic

 

Roti

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Roti wasn't my favorite, but it was still good. It is basically a flatbread that resembles a tortilla, except a little softer, and filled with a protein of sorts. You can have it with goat curry, shrimp, chicken, and beef. I personally had a curry chicken roti. The only surprise was that the bones were still in the chicken. Only Americans expect boneless chickens everywhere. That shit is not natural.  I got mine "to-go", and it was packaged neatly like a burrito. I tried to eat it like a burrito, but that didn't go over so well. The curry chicken juices were flying everywhere, and it was falling apart, and yeah.. I don't recommend eating it this way. Use your hands and get jiggy with it. 

These are sold literally everywhere. On stalls, in corner stores, in restaurants, next to the Doubles man, behind the Mexican restaurant. Roti is everywhere. Try them all and take your pick.  

 

OX TAILS

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Oxtails are the G.O.A.T. , ironically enough. I have never had meat so tender and juicy. It literally falls off the bone. My mouth is watering thinking about it alone. So Oxtails are the tail of a cattle skinned and cut into short lengths for sale. I first had it as a stew, but it can be made as a soup, broth or sauce. I don't know what sort of magic is used to season this delicacy, but as someone who doesn't particularly like red meat, I was sucking the bones trying to get the meat in every crevices.

There is no proper way to eat oxtails. You need to pick it up with your hands and sink your teeth into it, sorry. Leave your forks behind. I had mine with some rice and vegetables, but seriously who cares about anything other than the oxtails themselves?  Go to Kaiso Blues Cafe, one block away from Queen's Park Savannah West, to get my favorite oxtails in Port of Spain. My favorite of all time? HOMEMADE. 

 

Pelau

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It must be something about Caribbean food where the meat just seamlessly falls off the bones. Pelau is no different. This rice-based dish is combined with spices sent down from the GAWDS themselves, beans, protein, vegetables and garnishes. I was told that it was originally made with pork or beef, but chicken is becoming more popular. Once again, what a "shock" that the bones were still in the chicken when I bit into it. This can be an entree on it's own, or it can be paired with a mango chutney (deliciousness at its best). 

Best place to get it? Yet again, HOMEMADE. Margaret, a lovely friend I made, hooked me up day after day. 

KFC

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I'm sure you're just as appalled as I was, but it's true. Every true Trinidadian has eaten KFC at least once in their life. I personally hate fried chicken of the Kentucky sorts, but the ones in Trinidad taste different. Make sure you ask for your chicken to be crispy and spicy, as a true Trini. The KFC in Independence Square yielded the largest profit margin of all KFC's in the world until just last year when Tiananmen Square took over in China. This small island loves fried chicken. 

My favorite KFC has been the one at Piarco International Airport (they don't all taste the same). Ask anyone in Trinidad where their favorite KFC is, and believe me they'll have a preference. I've made it compulsory to have a Big Meal Deal every time I land and take-off from Piarco. If you're from the States, take caution that their large drink is an equivalent to our small. Ohh the land of the brave and the fat...I mean free. 

As you can see, you need to visit Trinidad, if for nothing other than the food. The food is so spectacular because of its heavy Indian, Spanish and African influence. Trini's have such a beautiful culture because it is a mesh of cultures from all around the world. It is a true melting pot, and damn that thing smells good!

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE TRINIDADIAN FOOD? LET ME KNOW IN THE COMMENTS BELOW!

Happy Wandering...

The Easiest Way to Find the Cheapest Flight

You can save hundreds, and cumulatively thousands of dollars with a couple simple steps. Your flight could quite possibly be the most expensive aspect of your whole trip. While it can get annoying to search, search and continually search for a cheap flight, it's usually worth it. Initially, you must conclude whether staring at a computer screen for hours is worth hundreds of dollars. I figure I'm staring at a computer screen all day at work or on my cell phone at any other point in time, so I might as well make these machines work in my favor, right?. Also, I'm broke as shit, so I need all the savings I can get. I don't mind spending a couple hours clicking back and forth between tabs to find the best deal.

So while I know it gets annoying, I've created a little guide to help you find the cheapest flight in the least amount of time. If I'm looking to go somewhere and I'm over the whole "patience" thing I continually preach about, these steps are how I go on purchasing a ticket and still feel comfortable about the overall price. All it will take you is three tabs. Each very important. There will be some time spent within each tab though so don't throw all your patience out of the window, you'll still need some. Since I'm amazing, I've even screenshot what it should look like for you, so you don't get lost while on your hunt! Get ready to save big money on even bigger adventures...

TIPS TO KEEP IN MIND

• Websites jack up prices if you're using a Mac, so try to stick to a PC when searching

• The time of day you search for a flight just might matter! Supposedly searching in the early morning gives you the best (and cheapest) options.

• Also, the time of your flight might make a difference. Not many want to catch a red-eye (overnight or late night) flight, which means you should probably board one to save some coins

• The cheapest days to fly are usually Tuesdays and Thursdays

 

THE BASICS

• Know the difference between a one-way flight, a roundtrip flight, and a multi-city flight
  • One-Way: flying from your departure city with no intentions of coming back. Going to your intended destination and never turning around to go home. Basically the flight you wish you would have booked once you get to a tropical island or what you do when your boyfriend cheats on you, whatever example suits you best.
  • Roundtrip: flying from your departure city with a set return time and date. Going to your intended destination understanding you have a job and bills and a car note waiting at home for you, so you gotta return. Basically the flight you book when responsibilities are knocking on your door and you just left to escape them for a while.
  • Multi-City: flying from your departure city to another city and then another, and possibly many more. Going to your intended destination and realizing that you have more than one intended destination. Basically the flight you book when you're about to go on a hell of an adventure. Forewarning, this multi-city flight might mean that you realize your constant desire for travel and never return for those responsibilities you left behind.

 

THE PROCESS

Start off by scrolling quickly through @theflightdeal, @suzzstravels and @airfarewatchdog on Twitter to make sure there aren't any crazy deals you're missing out on. (If you're not hip, read-up on this article.)

Quickly scroll through @theflightdeal and @suzzstravels and possibly @airfarewatchdog on Twitter to make sure there aren't any crazy deals you're missing out on. Remember that if you find a deal to your intended destination, but the departure airport is far that sometimes it's worth it to travel to the further departure airport and leave from there. Sometimes flights are so cheap that you still end up saving a shitload of money after traveling to the further airport.

For example, on my last personal trip, I found an amazing flight leaving from PHL (Philadelphia) to DPS (Bali) for approximately $500. The only issue is I live in Richmond, Virginia, not Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After a little research I found a MegaBus ticket for $15 to Philadelphia. This meant that my whole trip to Bali cost $515, a STEAL! I was over the roof knowing that regular tickets to anywhere in Southeast Asia cost about $1,000! Now you see the importance in extra research, so put your patience caps on and start scrolling through those previously mentioned Twitter handles.

If you've scrolled and haven't found any deals heading towards your intended destination then move on. If you have, you know your next step is to figure out how cheap you can reach that destination for. Is it worth it? If so, book that sucker. If it's not, move on to the following steps.

 

Step one: Google flights

Before delving into Google Flights, understand that this site is my favorite of all the three I'll be showing you today. Just informing you of my bias. Also I can be pretty lazy (especially when it's not beneficial to me) and this site makes that laziness a whole bunch easier. It could quite possibly be a one-stop shop.

Your first step would obviously be deciding what type of flight you're looking for (one-way, roundtrip, or multi-city). As you can see from above, in terms of a destination the world is your oyster! If you don't have a particular place in mind then typing in anything from as broad as 'South America' will give you the opportunity to explore pricing to different cities via the provided map assuming you've input your dates. Another cool aspect of Google Flights is that you can enter more than one departure airport to try to find the cheapest flight (remember it's sometimes cheaper to not fly from your local airport). Once you've chosen a destination and input all the airports you're interested in flying from, you can narrow down your search by other factors that are important to you. Some people refuse to get on more than one flight, so you can choose to filter through direct flights only. Others will only fly through certain airlines, also a filter-able option. According to my bank account, the only thing I am and ever will be concerned about is price. 

This brings me to Google Flight's most important feature (in my eyes, and in the eyes of my dear Mr. Wells Fargo), the ability to see how prices change based on the day you travel. I like to call this feature "sorcery", no Harry Potter though. 

As you can see, if you have flexible dates, this feature can change your life. If I were to book a flight on the 8th of February, my flight would be $995 versus flying on March 1st with a $395 flight. Thats a difference of $636! TALK ABOUT SAVINGS! Not only did Mr. Wells Fargo approve, but this "sorcery" has continued to allow for Netflix in my budget for the next five years or so. My binging habits are ever so thankful. Amen! If you find a flight on here that fits your budget and you aren't interested in doing any more research, then by all means go ahead and book. My conscious and coin allocation force me to look through at least three sites before booking, so I continue on. If you got it like that, be about that life sweetheart!

step two: Skyscanner

Another favorite site is SkyScanner because of a couple different features. When you get to the site, make sure you choose whether you want a roundtrip or one-way flight. There are no options for multi-city on this site, unfortunately.

Some favorite feature include the "Add nearby airports" feature and its "Everywhere" feature. Clicking the "Add nearby airports" allows for the system to find neighboring or nearby airports to showcase the lowest prices for that date in time. It's like the Google Flights feature except you don't have to manually input the airports, it literally finds them for you. Lazy hack? I think so. The "Everywhere" feature allows for you to see where the cheapest place to fly to in the world  based on your selected dates. Once you click search, you'll see the same image as below and you can choose where you'd like to go depending on price. We all know that's most important to me, and should be to most of you if you're on a budget!

If your dates are flexible, you're able to open up the calendar and instead of choosing a specific date, select "Cheapest Month" or "Whole Month". These will allow you to find the cheapest flight month for your intended destination throughout the whole year or search the cheapest days throughout the month you're already searching in.

SkyScanner usually has good deals and I love the way they organize the trips in "Everywhere" based on price. They also compare prices with a bunch of other sites (or so they say) to try to help you find the best deal. I have found amazing prices through this site, like $800 flights to select cities in Africa and $80 flights to Atlanta. If you find an amazing deal on here then as I've stated before, go ahead and book. As you know, I still have one more site to search so that my conscious will allow me to sleep peacefully post-purchase.

 

step three: Cheap-o-air

Cheap-O-Air is my least favorite site of the three I've exposed you to. So why do I even bother? Well, sometimes their deals are so remarkable that they just might be worth the hassle. The features they offer are pretty basic, but a little patience can save a good amount if it's worth it to you. Again, it might not be worth it for you to go through all of this research, but Mr. Wells Fargo doesn't like when I act out of line, so I just abide by what I can afford here. As you can tell, unlike SkyScanner, you can choose multi-city flights through this search engine. Rejoice my fellow wanderlust spirits.

One of the most amazing features, and probably the only if I'm being honest, is the fact that the price calendar pops up for you as soon as you have your locations selected. You don't need to click "Search Now" to render results. They literally pop up in seconds. Searching through the dates, you can see that if I can save $322 on my flight if I book it late February to early March versus the early February date I have selected. This tool allows you to look ahead up to 9 months to plan (you know, just in case you're trying to go somewhere before you pop out that kid).

The worst aspect of this site, and the one that will take you the most amount of time, is their lack of a "nearby airports" button or capability. If you want to find prices from different airports, you must either open numerous tabs for each airport or go through and jot down prices for prices from each airport. This can be a huge pain, but not worthless. Think about the hundreds you'll save. You know you're broke, and what else are you doing with your time besides scrolling through someone's feed? Not a damn thing. Take the time and look through. Other than that, the format is pretty basic once you decide to hit the "Search Now" button. You have numerous options to choose from in terms of filtering and they offer you select dates that might give you a better chance for a cheap flight. Don't sleep on this site. Although it's super basic, I have found deals on here that have beat any deal I've seen on Google Flights and SkyScanner. 

you got this

So I know this can be a grueling process, but breathe and remember patience. I know I preach it all the time, but there is nothing in this world that is more necessary. If you want something bad (like I want cheap flights) then you gotta work for those cheap flights, they don't come easy. This is the easiest way that I know of to find the cheapest flight. Some people get lucky and find a deal through the Twitter handles mentioned above. Others see a price on Google Flights that sits well with them. Then you have those crazed budgeting freaks who must visit a minimum of three sites to ensure that the deal they are getting is really a deal, and not just some mumbo-jumbo crap advertised to trick me into spending my coin. As you all know, coin doesn't come easy in this world, so spend it wisely and honestly what better way to spend your coin than on an experience?!

HAVE ANY TIPS/TRICKS OR IDEAS ON FINDING THE CHEAPEST FLIGHT? LET ME KNOW IN THE COMMENTS BELOW! MAKE SURE TO SHARE AND SUBSCRIBE MY LOVES!

Happy Wandering...

Best App for Cheapest Travel

When I travel, my number one concern is always money. I believe in the philosophy of making my dollars stretch. What do I mean by that? I mean that I am a cheapskate. I don't like to spend money on things that I can buy for a cheaper price somewhere else. Clothes? 7 times out of 10, I'm thrifting. Food? I'm skipping Chipotle for now. Ok, I'm lying. I love food, so I try to refrain from Chipotle as much as I can (every girl has got a weakness, right?). Gas? You better believe I'm checking for the cheapest price at all times. You get the point. So when it comes to traveling, I am no different. I love a good deal of any kind! One of the things I try to save the most money on when I travel? The flight ticket.

Your ticket might be one of the most expensive parts of your trip. You're paying hundreds, and maybe even thousands, just to reach your destination. This doesn't even include your stay, food, experiences, and local travel. "Finding cheap flights is hard", I hear you all wailing right now. Well, here I am, WanderlustWad, to your rescue. Let me introduce you to the app I utilize the most when I want to find a cheap flight. You may have heard of it, it's called Twitter. *GASP*  

So you already have Twitter? Great! Let me show you how to use it to your advantage. Wait, do you not have Twitter? Please make your way over to their website (just click here) and create an account. 

Twitter has been my favorite travel app by far, and the best part is that it isn't intended for travel necessarily. It's moreso for stalking your significant other, giving unsolicited relationship advice, and posting pictures that never made it to Instagram for a couple of "fav's" and "retweets". Well ladies and gentlemen, the game is about to change, because you're about to use Twitter in a whole new way.

See on my Twitter, I follow two specific handles that allow me to travel for a price unlike any other. Get out your handy dandy notebooks and write down @theflightdeal and @suzzstravels. Head to their page and turn on their notifications. This way, any time they send out a tweet, you get an instant notification sent to your phone about amazing deals!

Listen to me, your phone is dry AF anyways, add some variety to your life with these notifications. Not only are they great motivation to travel non-stop, they hip you to the hottest deals! Most flights are leaving from major airports (i.e. JFK, LAX, ATL, PHL, IAD, MIA) but there is always a sprinkle of flights from Arizona, New Mexico, and other places nobody lives. Just find the closest airport to you and GO! 

 

utilize these notifications

The best part of twitter is that everything is happening in real time. Once the tweet is sent, it is being directly sent to your phone, which works out in your favor since you're working against time here. Working against time? Yes, working against time. Deals don't usually last for long, these airlines are profit-driven, just like any other business. So while you contemplate whether or not you're going to fly to South Africa for $500, the tickets have probably already skyrocketed back to their regular price. A good rule of thumb is that if the deal is past two days old, it's pretty safe to say that you'll have a harder time finding it than finding your uncharged phone after a drunken night. I know, difficult.

Deals are sometimes gone within the hour, so you have to always act fast. This means pull out that credit card and buy, buy, buy! If you're a money-conscious individual, then you're all, "oh hell no, she not about to mess up my credit". Give me a second to explain. In case you were unaware, if you book airfare in the United States, there are regulations in place for you to be able to cancel your flight within 24 hours of booking. See a flight you're interested in? Pull out your credit card and book it! You can now have a smooth 24 hour gap to think about when and if you can accommodate for the oncoming experience. If you can, great! If you cant, just call and cancel. Penalty free, for almost all tickets. Mind...BLOWN! (unless you already knew this fun fact in which case please skip right over and move along).

The notifications make these the easiest ways to stay up to date with the newest deals or glitches so that you can buy them, and possibly cancel later, before the deal disappears. Twitter has made it possible for me to fly from JFK, in New York, all the way to  DPS, in Bali, Indonesia for $500 USD which is unheard of. Remember when I went to South Africa? Thank you @suzzstravels and @theflightdeal for getting me there under $550. And they're not just for international travel! Domestic flights are always included, which give the term "getaways" a whole new meaning. 

Twitter notifications were the best thing for my 2015 journeys. That being said, I believe strongly in saving and financial responsibility. So although I joked about pulling out the credit cards and swiping away, I want to make it clear that you should be responsible. You think you'll forget to cancel the ticket? Don't buy it in the first place, and inherit a financial burden. Financial literacy is extremely important, and your credit doesn't need to be ruined so that you can see the world. Everything takes time, and things come to you when they're supposed to. Don't rush into it, save a bit at a time, and you can make it anywhere!

Note: A savings plan would be an intelligent decision at this point in time. 

 

MAKE SURE TO FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER FOR CONSTANT UPDATES ABOUT...LIFE, LOVE, AND TRAVEL! @WANDERLUSTWAD 

Happy Wandering...

9 Essentials for Every Plane Ride

Hopping on a plane can be exhilarating, terrifying, boring, entertaining and everything in-between. To make the best of your experience, there are some required essentials that you shouldn't forget. Lucky for you, I've labeled them all for you. Why should you trust me? I've been on over 30 flights in the last 9 months. This has taught me way more than I would like to know about planes, and how to make the most of them. So here is your official list:

A sweater
In general, airports are cold, so you'll need it there, but being elevated thousands of feet in the air makes it a necessity for the plane. I've only ever been on one flight that was hot, while on every other one, I shivered. Yes, the airline will most likely supply you with a blanket, but is it enough? No. Bring your coziest sweater and nestle comfortably.

Lotion
It doesn't matter if you applied moisturizer after your shower that morning, on the car ride to the airport, or 3 seconds before they called for boarding, you will need lotion. Your skin will get dry, dry, dry. My hands have actually started to hurt from being so ashy, and LAWD don't get me started on those feet! Just save yourself the embarrassment, the hassle and the ultimate struggle. Pack a nice sized lotion to keep you moisturized in that dry sky.

Socks
The sweater is for your top half, the socks are for your bottom half (sort of). Not sure if your calves ever get cold (weirdo) but mine don't. The best advice I can give you is to slather lotion on your feet and slip the socks on almost immediately, barely giving any air a chance to creep through. I'm so serious about not allowing my feet to snap, crackle, pop from all the ash that would accumulate. Also, while your butt, and your top half will have some friction with the seat, your feet are dangling all lonesome. Show them some love, bring socks.

Chapstick
To continue with the "dry" theme, don't forget about those precious lips! Dab some Vaseline on them or bring along your favorite Burt's Bees flavor and thank me later (*cue Drake*). Cracked lips are not cute on anyone, so be prepared.

Gum
It helps when your ears pop, which I have almost gotten used to. Not to mention, when your breath is as hot as the flames of hell, it helps to keep it at bay, specifically during those long flights. If not for you, just keep some present for the poor kid next to you. Save them from embarrassment and yourself from smelling their horrid breath. Imagine them sleeping with their mouth open and snoring in your direction, yuck! 

Travel Pillow
I used to think these things were so bougie, until I invested in one. On long airplane rides, or if you anticipate on taking a nap during your voyage, there is nothing better. It helps keep your head in place so you're not looking like a bobble-head in these streets. Find one that's perfect for you, there are millions to choose from. I love the ones with memory foam!

Advil
It works the best for me and reduces my headache pain. Sometimes the cheapest flights aren't the easiest ones, and since I'm always looking for the best deal, I often end up with dummy-induced headaches. Those are headaches brought on by dealing with, you guessed it, dummies. So in times of need, I require that my Advil is handy. You never know who you'll encounter, keep your Advil on deck!

Wet Wipes
I keep these handy because they are great sanitizers for those yucky bathrooms, and they're refreshing! Don't bother getting out of your seat to wash your hands before and after you're served food, just pull out a wet wipe! They also smell great and will leave you feeling clean.

Pen
This sounds like a ridiculous essential because "I can just borrow one from someone, right"? Wrong my love, individuals are ever so un-prepared. On most international flights, you will be required to fill out some type of paperwork for entry. You could wait until you land and head over to the designated tables that provide pens with everyone else. Just be prepared to wait...forever. Or, you can bring a pen, fill the sheets out on the plane, and pass the masses. #travelhack

Don't be a dupe while traveling! Remember these essentials to make your plane ride as comfortable as possible, whether you're sitting first class or towards the back of the plane. The majority of these essentials requires that you not depend on anyone for anything. Don't depend on the airline to give you a blanket because they might not, don't depend on someone's shoulder to sleep on, bring your travel-pillow, and don't depend on your saliva to keep your lips moisturized, gross. Be adult, be prepared, and get ready to begin your journey!

What are some of your essentials? Let me know in the comments below?

Happy Wandering

10 Ways To Discover A New City

Being in a new city can be daunting. Visiting, just moved or passing through somewhere new?

Here are some tips I've collected throughout my travels to help me get the most out of each place I wander into, no matter how short or long the stay.

1. Walk
Though not all cities are walkable, there are many that are, and if you happen to be in one then that is exactly what you should be doing. Walk down the streets, around the corners, walk everywhere. Besides it being a great form of exercise, which you will undoubtedly need after all the amazing food you'll want to try, it's a great way to discover a new city. The only way to find those unforgettable hole-in-the-wall's is by walking.

2. Public Transportation
As noted, not all places are easy to walk, if this is the case, then utilize the public transportation system. Even in times when you can walk around, realize that you can only walk but so far. Taxi's are for chumps! Do you want to be a chump? Didn't think so. Now get on that train, tram, bus, subway, metro, whatever. To really uncover the gems of a new place, you must live as the people there live, and unless they have "racks on racks" as my friends would say, they're most likely using one of these forms of transportation. 

3. Talk to Locals
They live in the place for goodness sakes, so who would know the place better? In most places they are more than happy to lend a helping hand. Unless you're in France...sorry Frenchies, your reputation precedes you. (Although in my short 12 hours there, I found one very kind man who was the greatest.) Locals have almost always pointed me in the right direction. Make sure you ask them to tell you where they would go, not where they think you would want to go. You don't want to go to the tourist spots, get a genuine feel of this new place!

4. Get Lost
Today in Turkey, I got extremely lost. Had no idea where I was, and I had the best day ever! Getting lost is beautiful. Sure scary, but oh so wonderful. You come across things you normally wouldn't and are pleasantly surprised by all that you do. Get lost, make the wrong turn, figure it out. Your adventure is awaiting in your confusion. Suppress your need to ask for directions and try to go with the flow. You will appreciate it in the long run. 

5. TripAdvisor/Lonely Planet
No one goes to China and doesn't want to see the Great Wall of China. You don't go to France and not see the Eiffel Tower. It's a part of the experience. For these reasons, I would use TripAdvisor/Lonely Planet. See what is worth your time, and what isn't exactly your cup of tea. Sometimes you don't know what the great things to do are, and this will give you the most touristy of touristy things to see and do. Not a bad idea because at the end of the day, no matter how hard you try, you still kinda are a tourist. Sorry love! Experience the Hagia Sophia and the Taj Mahal with the other tourists before going upon your own route.

6. Tourist Traps
You will undoubtedly get caught in one. It's going to happen. Don't run from it, just take it in. Learn from it and then never get caught again. You will pay too much for a cab before knowing how the metro works, you will pay $10 for a jacket and think it's a steal, until you discover you could have gotten it for $5. It's ok, roll with the punches my friend, just make sure you are learning from them.

7. Get Out
Don't stay locked up in your hostel/hotel attached to your computer/phone and ravaging for WiFi. Yes you might miss home, and you're you, so home definitely misses you, but don't waste your time trying to not miss out. In your FOMO anxiety, you will miss out on what's right in front of you. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. will all be exactly where you left them when you return. Someone will post about their pregnancy, another about an engagement, a marriage, a breakup, a hook-up. Do you really care? Go somewhere! Do something! Don't let FOMO hold you back! This city needs discovering! 

8. Learn the Language
Locals are so much more receptive when they see you trying. They will laugh at your attempts, but internally they will be so pleased that you're trying. Learning the language doesn't necessarily mean you have to take a course. Learn the basics: please, thank you, hello, goodbye, bathroom (that one is important). What better way to immerse yourself in the culture than to slowly figure out what the heck everyone is saying.

9. Find a Friend
They are everywhere! In your hostel, on the streets, at the cafe you like to frequent, there are people waiting to be your friend. Who wouldn't want to be? It's you for crying out loud. Friends can help you get out, can teach you new things and show you all the places they've already discovered. Bond over your love of the city, your hate of the city, whatever! You don't know it all, so find someone who can teach you some things, and who you can enlighten. Discover the city together.

10. Enjoy!
The best way to discover a new city is to enjoy it. No matter the turns and tumbles life hands you, have a great time. The whole reason you're in this new place is to enjoy, so don't deny yourself this wonder. Walk around and enjoy, get on a tram and enjoy, find friends and enjoy, meet locals and enjoy. You get to be somewhere new, even if for a little while, so smile fellow wanderer. The city is welcoming you, so welcome it back!

Hope these tips will help you to get out and discover your newest adventure!

What other tips do you have for learning about a new place? Let me know in the comments below!

Happy Wandering...

Last Minute Packing

How far in advance do you plan what you'll be wearing on your trip? Most times, I try to have some idea of what I'll be wearing, even if the thought is as simple as "less, shorts, more jeans, it'll be cold". This gives me some sort of guide as I begin the daunting task of choosing what pieces of clothing get to experience my next adventure with me. 

This may seem silly, but choosing between your jean jacket and your leather jacket is sort of a big deal. You don't want to lug everything with you, so you're forced to choose: look like a biker for a whole month, or like a washed-up 90's kid? The hardships are endless! (What a first world problem.)

As I embark on another adventure in less than 24 hours, it is frightening how little I have though of what essentials I need, and which ones are worth the weight on my back. So before you end up like me (tired, unprepared, and contemplating 2am Wal-Mart runs) take a minute and think about these questions. They will save you time my dear friends. Preparation is key.

1. Where are you going?
Doesn't even matter, you're gonna have a blast!

2. What are the cultural norms?
Do you need to consider a scarf or more conservative clothing?

3. What's the weather like?
Might need a sweater, an umbrella, or you might need a portable air conditioner (do these exist?)

4. Is it going to be anywhere form 55-75 degrees Fahrenheit, or Spring/Fall?
Literally this is the best/worst weather, because you will need a bit of everything. It's horribly unpredictable. You'll need shorts and a parka, a bathing suit and snow boots. If this is your case, just give up and pack your whole life, you'll need it.

5. Will there be mosquitos?
Trust me, they are no joke. Malaria and all, bring that DEET repellant!

6. Is there somewhere to wash your clothes?
Are you willing to pay? Just throw some Tide in a ziplock bag and move along young grasshopper

7. How long are you there for?
If you hate washing undies in sinks, bring enough for two per day (life could get interesting)

8. What are you forgetting?
There will always be at least one thing. Try your best to remember, but chances are you wont.

*Girls*

9. Do they sell tampons in this foreign country?
Believe it or not, some places don't. If you don't like the whole pad ordeal, make sure you're prepared my dear.

I hope this list gives you a roundabout of the things that you need to think about before you actually begin to prepare. Sucks to have to think about the work ahead beforehand, doesn't it? You will probably have come across at least one question in which you don't know the answer. Have fun with this last minute research. My only tip for that is that you better start reading, and fast.  

As I count down the hours, I realize that I have too many questions, with not enough answers! What better way to procrastinate than write an article about what to do in case of procrastination! Oh the irony...

Let me know how you prepare, or what you ask yourself in the comments below!

Wondering where I'm headed? Subscribe below to find out!

Happy Wandering... 

How do I travel so often?

I get asked this question time and time again. There have been many to assume the likes of "oh, you must be rich" or "damn, you got it like that". The answer to all of your facetious accusations is no, or as you might understand, nah.

Now excuse me if I sound angry or bitter, but it gets to me. I don't look at your $200 sneakers and your Hermes belt with your Louis Vuitton bucket hat and tell you that you're "balling out of control". Not because these items aren't expensive, or I didn't wish I could afford things like that, but because you're most likely participating in conspicuous consumption.

Now conspicuous consumption for all of those who are wondering, is buying things (usually outside of your purchasing range) to publicly display your economic power. Now when I tell you all, I DONT GIVE A F*** (insert Haunted House meme here lol).

I'm not trying to display any type of anything to anyone. My wardrobe is very conservative (though I still try to keep it cute), and I have no shame in rocking whatever Target and sometimes even Wal-Mart have to offer me. Trying to keep up with the Jones's is the last thing on my mind. It's called having priorities people.

As we all know, I love to travel. It is literally the desire of my heart. Not being able to wander chips away at my heart, my spirit, and my very being. Because of this, I constantly make it a point to EXPLORE. To go out there and see the world and all that it has to offer. In other words, I have decidedly made traveling a priority in my life.

Let's face it, as a recent graduate of college, I make crap money. I make a decent earning, but nothing spectacular. To travel, there were sacrifices to be made.

I don't go out nearly as often as I would like, I am continuously turning down cute lunches and dinners with friends, I live at home, and my shopping habits continue to plummet. All for traveling.

So before you let me know how "balling" I am, or how simple it is for me to wander as I do, take a minute and think. Do you own at least three pairs of Jordan's, but don't have a car? Conspicuous consumption. Do you have gold fronts or bottoms and can't pay your rent? Conspicuous consumption. Are you living paycheck to paycheck, but you're always at the club popping bottles? Conspicuous consumption. 

Wanna know how I travel so often? I don't participate in conspicuous consumption. You can travel too, just make some sacrifices and you can be on your way!

Happy Wandering...

WanderlustWad